Paralyzed ex-athlete a survivor

Rocky Clark is a fighter.

The paralyzed man from South suburban Robbins proved that again Thursday -- victoriously battling a perilous bout of pneumonia that kept him in a hospital's intensive care unit for hours and, some said, put him dangerously close to death.

It's the latest scare for Clark, 23, who was paralyzed in 2000 playing football at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island and later became a friend and ally of Rob Komosa, who suffered the same fate at a 1999 Rolling Meadows High football practice.

The duo's journey has been a public story thanks to large-scale fundraisers and an inspirational book, published last year, that helped them financially and kick-started a fund to help other victims of sports injuries.

Clark, who has overcome pneumonia before, was taken to the emergency room at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey on Wednesday night. Thursday morning, friends sent out a grave e-mail detailing his status and urging prayers.

By late afternoon, another e-mail reported Clark had taken a turn for the better.

He'd been moved from intensive care to his own room, friend Scott Ascher said, and was eating and talking. His temperature also had gone back down to a normal level.

"He's a tough kid," said Ascher, who owns Aurora's Walter Payton's Roundhouse and befriended Clark after he was injured.

He visited Clark on Thursday afternoon and said though the situation still is "serious," he believes Clark is going to pull through.

Komosa said his friend has been a fighter from the day he was paralyzed.

"It probably goes back to playing football," Komosa said, "always wanting to do good, and never give up."

Clark, who now is coaching football at Eisenhower High, desperately wanted to be with his players Wednesday, though he was extremely ill, his mom, Annette, told ABC7.

She also said she's confident her son will survive, though she said it's the worst bout of pneumonia he's had.

Clark last year benefited from a $119,000 donation from the Chicago Bears. Coupled with funds garnered through efforts headed up by some of the same people who spearheaded drives for Komosa, the cash was enough to rehab his Robbins home.

The house now is wheelchair accessible, friends said.